Former Shakhtar Donetsk player Oleksandr Sopko shared his impressions of yesterday's match of his former team against Portuguese Porto (1-3) in the 1st round of the Champions League group stage.
Oleksandr Sopko (photo: V.Peregnyak)- The game felt that the teams on the pitch were from different leagues, from different weight categories, - said Sopko. - In previous years, Shakhtar had a well-organised game, and due to the special emotions associated with the Champions League, the result was achieved.
- Now there is no organised game?
- "Shakhtar are in the process of building a new team, a new game philosophy. Not all the players have accepted it. Hence the coach's experiments with the squad, frequent rearrangements of the defensive line. However, defence is the basis of the team's play. Unfortunately, the Pitmen currently have the weakest defence line, both in terms of performers and chemistry. There is a lack of chemistry, lack of support and mutual understanding, when players also give each other timely and appropriate tips.
In addition, there is also a failure at the mental level. Shakhtar used to play controlling the ball and resting when needed, but now we need to play more intense football, and not all players are ready for it, not all are able to accept this challenge. But the Champions League is a marker. As the match against Porto demonstrated, many Shakhtar players are not suitable for the new requirements. The process of determining the main squad is underway - it is a long process, we need patience, it may not be pleasant to look at, but we have to go through it.
- Did Patrick van Leeuwen make any mistakes in this match?
- Patrick van Leeuwen's football is different, not like what everyone is used to seeing at Shakhtar. This football is faster. If the players are energised and ready, everything works out. By the way, the goal scored against Porto is very telling in this regard. It is an illustration of what Van Leeuwen wants to see from the team. A quick transition into attack, five-on-five play in the opponent's penalty area, and a cool and logical finish. It wasn't like that in previous years..... And in the game against Porto, the Pitmen demonstrated another such stretch of play only in the first five minutes after the break.
Consequently, the coach's demands are noticeable, but it is a painful process for the players, when some cannot fulfil it, and some do not like it. However, you can't turn back at the halfway point! As for van Leeuwen's mistakes, I would like to point out that there is no need to force Sican to play in the left winger position. This is not his football. Hence so many mistakes, including the resultant one. Sikan in general makes a lot of mistakes - in every match. But when he is on the point, he scores, and the ball from him flies at least towards the other team's goal. And one more thing: at the end of the match against Porto, the coach did not stop the anarchy, initiated by Rakitskiy, who for some reason started to pretend to be a playmaker.... Both Rakitskiy and others should have been called to discipline.
- Shakhtar's starting line-up was also surprising, in particular the appearance of Mirosha, who had not played before, and the choice in favour of Lemkin....
- Mirosha's appearance in the starting line-up is another indication that the coach does not yet fully know the capabilities of all the players. Yes, it was a risk. Shakhtar had two months to prepare for the Champions League, and the defence could have been strengthened, especially in the centre of defence. With all due respect to Stepanenko, he is no longer able to control the game so effectively and launch attacks. As for Lemkin, he looked good in the Israeli youth team. But at Shakhtar - in general, he lacks chemistry, and the team is not on the move at the moment. Therefore, when he makes mistakes and is not backed up, he may lose confidence in his abilities. But everyone made a lot of mistakes there - both Rakitskiy and Konoplya, from under whom we got a goal. Therefore, it is wrong to blame Lemkin for all the troubles.
- Did the Pitmen withstand this game physically?
- It is felt that van Leeuwen took a tough approach to Shakhtar's physical preparation. The consequence of this is a significant number of injuries. Undoubtedly, the "physics" needed to be improved, but it will have an effect in time - when the "backbone" is formed. In the current Champions League, Shakhtar need to think first of all about the quality of play, not the result. Of course, we can become a "bus" and take one point in the match against Antwerp and brag about it.... However, it is more important to look ahead and trust the coach and support him.
- If we go through the personalities, the fans probably expected more from Sudakov...
- Yes, he fell out of the game. In the off-season Sudakov missed a month of training due to injury, then he played a lot. And now, as far as it is clear, he is in a slump. In the match against Porto, Grigory had a lot of deflections, and it was painful to watch.
- Did you like the Porto game?
- It is noteworthy that this is just the beginning of the season for Porto. They are just gaining momentum. However, the class of the team is reflected in the little things, in episodes. Porto had a margin of safety, they waited for Shakhtar's mistake and masterfully realised their chances. And when necessary, they organised a meaningful combination through the flank, as in the case of the third goal. Of course, Porto are capable of playing better. In general, I would like to point out that Porto and Barcelona are the main contenders for the top two places in our group.
- And what can Shakhtar expect?
- The decisive game for the Pitmen will be the away game with Antwerp - for the third place in the group. We should tune in for this game as the last one... We should not make any tragedy out of the defeat to Porto. The main thing this season is to form a modern, mobile and capable team.
Oleg Semenchenko
